Falcons try out a trio of safeties

Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reported on Wednesday that the Falcons tried out a trio of safeties this week: Sean Baker, David Caldwell, and Brodney Pool. The Falcons likely are kicking the tires on these free agent safeties due to concerns about their depth at the position. William Moore suffered a hip injury during the team’s Week 4 win over the Carolina Panthers and has been limited in every practice since. Currently the Falcons depth at safety includes veteran Chris Hope and rookie Charles Mitchell.

Baker was an undrafted free agent out of Ball State, that signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past May. He was cut at the end of training camp. In the Bucs’ preseason finale against the Washington Redskins, Baker recorded 6 tackles and a pair of interceptions. He was a four-year starter at Ball State, tallying a total of 338 tackles, 18 interceptions, 39 pass deflections, and 6 forced fumbles.

Caldwell started 13 games last season for the Indianapolis Colts as an injury replacement for Melvin Bullitt at strong safety. He finished the season with 67 tackles and 4 passes defended. The 5-11, 212-pound safety was an undrafted free agent with the Colts in 2010 out of William & Mary. He is noted for his ability as a run defender. He was released by the Colts at the end of this past summer’s camp.

Pool is the noted veteran of the three players worked out. He was most recently with the Dallas Cowboys this past summer. He was cut after being a free agent pickup in March. Pool spent five seasons with the Cleveland Browns (2005-09) before joining the New York Jets in 2010. He was originally a second round pick by the Browns out of Oklahoma in 2005. In 2006, he spent time as a starter both at free safety and cornerback due to injuries. He was moved permanently to free safety in 2007 where he started 41 games with the Browns over the next three seasons. During that span, he recorded 9 interceptions, including a career-high 4 in 2009. He signed a free agent deal with the Jets in 2010. He would start 18 games at both safety spots during his two year stint with the Jets. In 2011, he started 6 games replacing an injured Jim Leonhard in the lineup late in the year. He finished with 36 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and 1 interception.